Students from various programs wearing their career outfits smile against a white background

The Office of Academic Affairs provides leadership that supports and enhances the mission of the college. Its focus is on strengthening student learning, curriculum, accreditation, program review, online learning, partnerships and assessment.  The office is committed to the values of the college: Empowerment, Excellence, Innovation, Integrity and Collaboration.


Academic Program Review and Assessment

All Northwood Tech academic programs undergo a formal review on a regular basis as part of our continuous improvement efforts. In addition, the Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS) requires each of the 16 technical colleges to conduct a regular review process of all academic programs.  

The purpose of the academic program review is to determine the strengths and challenges of the existing program and to set strategies and plans of continuous improvement in order to provide future learners with more competitive skills, viable knowledge, and a quality education. This will ensure we are meeting business and industry needs by supplying a trained workforce.  

Academic program review is part of the College‘s overall planning process. It is designed to assist the College in identifying the strengths and challenges in existing programs. The process connects data with strategies to create meaningful improvement activities affecting student learning.

Download Academic Program Review Guide

 

The Academic Program Review Process includes the following steps:  

  • Step 1: Plan - Data Analysis and Review
    • Teams will include faculty, program directors, academic and program deans. Program teams will meet with the Institutional Effectiveness staff to assist with analyzing the data. The data from the Program Dashboard, Technical Skills Attainment, Employability Essentials, and other resources create opportunities to ask questions, consider trends, explore best practices, conduct root cause analysis, and fully examine program strengths and opportunities. A review of the current improvement plan provides valuable insight and allows objectives and action items to be modified or carried forward.
  • Step 2: Do - Develop the plan for next year 
    • Program teams will develop a plan, including objectives/goals, action items, and timelines. All objectives relate to student learning and program effectiveness.
  • Step 3: Implement the Plan 
    • Improvement plans begin in June and continue for one year. 
  • Step 4: Monitor and Update 
    • Monitoring of the plan occurs throughout the year and includes check-in meetings in August, November and January. A documented update is required at the 6-month mark in January.  
  • Step 5: Review, Report, and Repeat 
    • Program teams examine the results of the improvement plan to determine if action items should be modified or carried forward to the next year.

Academic Program Review completed program portfolios 

Review teams will complete the first four steps throughout the review year. Drafts of each section will be submitted for feedback. Each program will develop and submit a final review portfolio that will document the activities of the review as well as the planned improvements. 

Program Outcomes

Program outcomes communicate performance expectations to students by describing major occupational or discipline-specific skills expected of all program graduates. Assessment of program outcomes ensures that continuous improvement is taking place and will demonstrate accountability to constituents (students, employers, accrediting bodies, etc.)

Find each program's outcomes on their individual program page. 

View Programs

Employability Essentials

The Northwood Tech Employability Essentials to communicate clearly, demonstrate professionalism, practice inclusivity and think critically will be assessed on an ongoing basis. Assessment of the Employability Essentials assists Northwood Tech as we continuously work to improve teaching and learning. 

  • Communicate Clearly - Convey meaning through writing, speaking, and listening in a clear, concise, and accurate manner appropriate to the career.
  • Demonstrate Professionalism - Develop relationships, engage in workplace activity, and apply ethical standards. Display self-determination with recognition of one’s relation to the world and others.
  • Practice Inclusivity - Recognize and acknowledge social and cultural complexities. Demonstrate a commitment to respecting and embracing a diverse society.
  • Think Critically - Analyze and process information to identify problems, make informed decisions, and develop solutions.

Take the Next Step

Are you ready to experience success? Northwood Tech staff are standing by to support you in reaching your educational and career goals, so do it. Take the leap.